The NFL has formed a partnership with ITV which will see the broadcaster become the sport’s new free-to-air television home in the UK and Ireland.
The three-year deal sees sports presenter Laura Woods join analysts Osi Umenyiora and Jason Bell for a series of hour-long weekly shows, kicking off on 9 September.
Woods said: “I’ve been a fan of the NFL for many years, so, with the new season just weeks away, I’m thrilled to be part of the team that will bring ITV viewers its best action and biggest stories each week.”
Airing at 11:30pm on ITV, the shows will focus on providing NFL fans with updates heading into each weekend of games.
“We have seen the NFL grow to a level I could never have imagined from when I played here for the Giants in 2007,” added Umenyiora.
“This new partnership can see us bringing the sport to an even broader audience. We have felt so embraced by British fans and we are excited that they will be able to watch us on ITV.”
The season officially kicks off on 8 September with Josh Allen‘s Buffalo Bills against the defending Super Bowl champs, the Los Angeles Rams.
Henry Hodgson, Managing Director, NFL UK, highlighted: “This is another significant milestone for the NFL in this country. We have enjoyed seven fantastic years of NFL coverage on BBC TV and the time is right to take advantage of the opportunities offered by a new partnership with ITV.
“When you look at the development of the NFL in the UK in recent years – with momentum behind fan growth, more London games, successful British players in the NFL, the launch of an Academy and a charitable foundation – this announcement is another sign of our ambition to grow and develop the sport in the UK.”
This new deal adds to ITV Sport’s portfolio of top sporting events, which also includes the FA Cup, England Women’s football, EFL, Six Nations, exclusive coverage of both the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup, UK horse racing and the Tour de France.
